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AsteriaStar
Processing technique

Plate Solving

Identifying exactly where an image points by matching the pattern of stars it contains against a reference catalogue, and so assigning precise celestial coordinates to every pixel. Plate solving lets software centre a target automatically, sync a mount's pointing, and stamp images with an accurate coordinate solution.

Highlights

  • Matching star patterns to a catalogue to fix where an image points

Knowledge connections

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.